Last year, a total of 350 humanitarian workers lost their lives globally, marking another tragic year for violence against aid workers, as reported by the United Nations. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that the death toll slightly decreased from the previous year of 2024, which had seen a record 387 aid workers killed worldwide.
In 2025, not only were 322 aid workers injured in attacks, but 235 were also kidnapped, according to data from the Aid Worker Security Database. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized in a video message on World Humanitarian Day that the act of serving others has become increasingly perilous.
The Gaza Strip maintained its status as the most dangerous area for aid workers for the third consecutive year, with 186 humanitarian workers losing their lives last year during Israel’s conflict in the Palestinian enclave. Additionally, Sudan witnessed 71 aid worker fatalities in 2025 due to an ongoing civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Expressing concern, the UN’s humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, stated that over 1,000 aid workers have been killed in the past three years, deeming such a toll unacceptable. He stressed the need for states to adhere to international humanitarian law and employ all available measures to safeguard civilians and aid workers, with strict consequences for violators.
In the current year, OCHA reported that 82 aid workers have been killed, 97 injured, and 39 kidnapped. The UN also highlighted the alarming use of armed drones in conflict zones, citing instances where drones targeted markets and health facilities in Sudan, causing a significant number of civilian casualties. Fletcher condemned the use of weaponized drones, labeling them as a modern threat to civilian lives through deliberate or reckless actions.
